Stones, speaking on board a special Manchester City boat during their pre-season tour of Asia, admitted: “The last two months were frustrating, but any player not playing is frustrated.

“I had the mindset to keep fighting and fight for my place. Then it’s down to the manager to choose his side.

“You have to respect that. I wanted to come on and try to affect any game that I could, however many minutes I got.

“It’s not about John Stones or whoever’s playing. It’s about the team and that’s why we won four trophies last season.

“It shows the strength of the squad and the selflessness of the squad in that respect.

“That’s why we were so successful.”

It’s not about John Stones or whoever’s playing. It’s about the team and that’s why we won four trophies last season

After being on the periphery of the Treble celebrations, Stones then joined up with Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions — and suffered more disappointment.

England were beaten 3-1 by the Dutch to miss out on the Nations League final — and a large chunk of the blame went to the former Everton defender after he was robbed in his own box for Holland’s second goal.

But Stones insists he can bounce back strongly.

City’s £47.5million star has taken time to reflect on how the campaign ended for him during the summer break.

And he seems certain to get another chance at the Etihad following the departure of Kompany to Anderlecht.

Guardiola has yet to replace his skipper but Harry Maguire remains a defensive target.

Stones, 25, added: “I love England and playing for England and it was a difficult time. It was a mistake. There were other mistakes in that game that weren’t highlighted as much but that was the pivotal moment, I suppose.

“It’s never nice to go out in a semi-final like that but I took some time away in my holidays and reflected.

“I’ve come back this season fighting for my chance to play again and put that right.

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“And I’m sure I will because I’ve got that strong mindset of putting things right and being honest when you’ve done something wrong.

“I’ll hold my hands up and I told all my team-mates and the staff there what I’d done wrong and we’d move on from that.

“I’ve moved on from that and I’ll try to correct that with my performances in the future.”

Boss Guardiola must try to inspire his City players to go again after their domestic clean sweep last term, which started with the Community Shield.

That was preceded by a record-breaking 100-point league campaign.

Stones said: “I’m of the mindset it can be topped.

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